Diplomacy, politics, peace talks and other news at the national and international levels/
After months of tense talks and fraying relations, the Ukrainian government has signed an agreement with the United States to establish a joint investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine and give the US preferential access to the country's minerals deals.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that it is still unclear whether Ukraine will join in the recently announced temporary Russian ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8, May 9, and May 10, during the days marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Ukraine has agreed that previous US aid to Kyiv will not be included in the minerals deal it plans to sign with Washington, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a temporary Russian ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8, May 9, and May 10, during the days marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, have met one-on-one at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, according to official statements from both countries.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with CBS that negotiations with the US to end the war in Ukraine are "moving in the right direction."
Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said that government officials are working "as fast as we can" to sign the so-called minerals deal with the US, but that some issues are still under discussion, as quoted by Reuters.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that "emotions have run high" during the peace negotiations in London earlier the same day, noting that Ukraine will always act in line with its constitution.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in Washington on Wednesday to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries and financial assistance to Ukraine for 2026, Ukraine's government said.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over his statement that Ukraine would not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea, saying that the comment is harmful to peace talks with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to halt the invasion of Ukraine along the current front lines as part of a potential peace deal with US President Donald Trump, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he hopes that Ukraine and Russia will reach an agreement this week to end the war.
Ukraine has signed a memorandum of intent with the government of the United States, confirming progress on the upcoming Agreement on Economic Partnership and reaffirming their intent to conclude the deal, according to Ukraine's economy ministry.
Ukrainian lawmakers on Wednesday voted to extend martial law for 90 days, starting from May 9, when it was set to expire.
The US and Ukrainian government have made "significant progress" on a proposed minerals deal between the two countries and on the establishment of an investment fund for Ukraine's recovery, Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Europe this week for talks about ending the war between Ukraine and Russia, the State Department said.
